INDIANAPOLIS — Veronica Burton had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Kayla Thornton added 18 points and eight boards, and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Indiana Fever 80-61 on Wednesday to spoil Caitlin Clark’s return.
The Valkyries held Clark to just 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting as the Fever scored their second-fewest points of the season.
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Clark returned after missing the past five games with a left groin injury. The All-Star captain participated in practice Monday — the first time she’d done that since getting hurt on June 26.
Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) calls a timeout while Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) defends Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Golden State led 41-32 at halftime and Kate Martin scored five consecutive points in the third for a 15-point lead.
After Indiana went on a 10-1 run to get within 55-50, Burton ended Golden State’s drought with a 3-pointer. Burton also capped Golden State’s 9-0 run on another 3-pointer with 26 seconds left in the third for a 64-50 lead.
Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) dribbles shoots the ball while Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) defends. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Burton’s fifth 3-pointer, setting a career high, came with 6:32 remaining for a 70-53 lead and Thornton’s wide-open 3 about a minute later made it a 20-point lead.
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Golden State (10-9) went 12 of 32 from 3-point range, compared to 6 of 27 for Indiana.
Kelsey Mitchell also struggled for Indiana (9-10), going 3 of 13 for 12 points. Makayla Timpson added 10 points off the bench.
Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) shoots the ball while Indiana Fever forward Makayla Timpson (21) defends. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Valkyries beat the Fever 88-77 in the first regular-season meeting on June 19.
